‘Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.’
Indeed behind every glory, there is a story. Michael W Smith is one of the most recognized and respected Christian music artists – with 44 Dove Awards, three Grammys and more than 15 million in Album sales. The award-winning singer today seems to have a successful life and career. Looking at Him many will think it came easy. But on the contrary, the road to success for Michael W. Smith has had multiple stops, including some places we would never have expected.
It is indeed hard to believe that this icon of Christian music once suffered from drug addiction. But such was the case years ago when as a teenager, he left home to pursue a musical career. Michael had a passion for worshiping God through music and had felt God’s calling on his life at the age of 15. When he was 17 years, he dropped out of college, left home and moved out to Nashville to pursue a musical career. Michael’s first jobs took him to after-hours bars, where he found himself surrounded with temptations. Soon he was ‘sucked’ into the drug scene. He felt he could play with the fire and not get burned. But once he took the first dose of cocaine and LSD, he became addicted. And for the next three years he found himself in the biggest pit of his life. In November 1979, after he almost died from drug use, while lying on the floor of his kitchen, he cried out to God for help. And God in His infinite mercy visited Michael. God delivered him from the drug addiction and gave him a second chance. Within a year, he landed a job as a songwriter and thereafter got his own record deal. And from there, his musical career rose to become the global success it is today. Michael, through his songs, continually expresses gratitude to God for His mighty deliverance.
Psalm 124: 2, 6-7 says ‘If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick…Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.’
Although we have no claim on God’s mercies, and they are undeserved, nonetheless they never cease.It is of The Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed. Despite all the plans of the enemy, God’s will over our lives has prevailed. Many of us like Michael W. Smith came close to death. We would have been buried long ago and forgotten if not for the mercy of The Lord. Some of the friends we started on this journey of life with, died along the way. That we are still here, is an indication of God’s love and mercy. And if perhaps you have lost anything, God is the reason why you have not lost everything. Indeed we must be thankful to Him that we are alive and still have hope.
Ecclesiastes 9:4 says ‘For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.’ This is why we praise God; because life is a privilege, not a right. Yes, you may not be where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be. We have come thus far only because of God’s grace and mercy. And as long as we keep expressing gratitude we will not stop gaining altitude. And as God has shown us mercy and love , so are we to show to others. As Jesus has loved us, so are we to love others. As we freely have received of His love, so are we to freely release to others.
PRAYER: Lord, I praise You for all your goodness in my life. I am truly grateful for Your mercy, which has kept me this many years and continues to keep me today. Thank You so much Lord Jesus for Your unending love towards me..
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Those who throw pity parties stay in the pit longer, but Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, …WORDBITE 222